She has listened as well as offered advice on how to navigate things
Dr. Lita Carvalho, LMFT
Experienced mental health professional
Provides online counseling through BetterHelp
At a glance
Lita is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.
- FSA/HSA accepted
- Have FSA/HSA funds? Use them here.
- 4.8 stars
- Clients are very satisfied with Lita. View 6 reviews
- Great news, Lita is accepting new clients!
- She is normally fully-booked.
- Offers Telehealth visits
- Licensed in California
Recent reviews
Dr. Carvalho is empathetic, encouraging, and highly skilled in complex relationship issues. She is a great resource to get on the path to a better me!
More about Lita
- 20 years' experience
- Female
- LMFT
Welcome. My name is Lita, and I’m so glad you've reached out for support. Reaching out for support is a vulnerable and brave step. It's common to feel anxious, uncomfortable, or hesitant starting therapy. I want to let you know that I'm here to support you as a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT 113252), and as a doctorate researcher in biophysics. I have experience working with a diverse range of clients. My approach is client-centered, and I am dedicated to tailoring our sessions to meet your unique needs and goals collaboratively.
I am a board certified licensed marriage and family therapist from San Diego, California, who works with children, teens, adults and older adults, and provides care for patients who struggle with a variety of conditions including anxiety, depression, complex post-traumatic stress disorder, ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD Level 1), as well as other emotional and behavioral health disorders. I utilize evidence-based practices (EBPs), such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Twelve Step Facilitation (TSF), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Trauma-Informed Care (TIC), and more. I have been working in the mental health field for 20 years.
In my approach to therapy, I want to create a space where you can feel heard and supported every step of the way. Together, we’ll explore ways to move forward that feel right for you. We will go at your pace and timing. I look forward to meeting you, and to working together on your path towards personal growth.
Specialties
Stress
Anxiety
Addictions
Relationship issues
Trauma and abuse
Depression
LGBT
Family conflicts
Grief
Intimacy-related issues
Eating disorders
Sleeping disorders
Parenting issues
Anger management
Self esteem
Career difficulties
Bipolar disorder
Coping with life changes
Coaching
Compassion fatigue
ADHD
Abandonment
Adoption and foster care
Aging and geriatric issues
Antisocial personality
Attachment issues
Autism and Asperger Syndrome
Avoidant personality
Blended family issues
Body image
Caregiver issues and stress
Co-morbidity
Codependency
Commitment issues
Communication problems
Control issues
Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
Dependent personality
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
Dissociation
Divorce and separation
Domestic violence
Drug and alcohol addiction
Eating and food-related issues
Emptiness
Family of origin issues
Family problems
Fatherhood issues
First responder issues
Forgiveness
Gender dysphoria
Guilt and shame
Hearing impaired
Hoarding
Hospice and end-of-life counseling
Immigration issues
Impulsivity
Isolation / loneliness
Jealousy
Life purpose
Midlife crisis
Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
Mood disorders
Multicultural concerns
Narcissism
Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
Panic disorder and panic attacks
Paranoia
Personality disorders
Phobias
Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships
Postpartum depression
Post-traumatic stress
Pregnancy and childbirth
Prejudice and discrimination
Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Self-harm
Self-love
Sex addiction
Sexual assault and abuse
Sexuality
Social anxiety and phobia
Somatization
Trichotillomania
Visually impaired
Women's issues
Workplace issues
Young adult issues
Treatment Approaches
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Attachment-Based Therapy
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Existential Therapy
- Gottman Method
- Imago Relationship Therapy
- Jungian Therapy
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Narrative Therapy
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Somatic Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
- Internal Family Systems
Licenses
Dr. Lita Carvalho's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1043462039.
- LMFT · California · 113252 · Renews May 2027
About online counseling
- Affordable.
- Pay a low flat fee.
- Convenient.
- Do it at your own time and at your own pace. Communicate whenever you feel it's needed.
- Available now.
- There is no waiting list and no calls to make. Simply fill out a short questionnaire and send your first message.
Online counseling, also known as teletherapy, is a method of delivering mental health services through digital means such as video conferencing, phone calls, or messaging platforms. It can be an ideal option for individuals who have difficulty accessing traditional therapy due to geographical distance, time constraints, or personal preferences like privacy and comfort. Many people find it easier to open up from the familiarity of their own space.
Teletherapy has been found to be highly effective, with studies showing that it can produce similar outcomes to in-person therapy, particularly for issues like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The flexibility and accessibility it offers make it a valuable alternative to conventional therapy settings.
Reviews for Dr. Lita Carvalho
All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.
Overall rating:
She has listened as well as offered advice on how to navigate things
Dr. Carvalho is empathetic, encouraging, and highly skilled in complex relationship issues. She is a great resource to get on the path to a better me!
Warm, authentic present, insightful. String energy which I need. Appreciate the good match.
My first session seem to go very well. I thought she asked great questions and had some good points throughout the session. I’m looking forward to my next session.
Dr. Carvalho is very intelligent. I feel very understood and her suggestions are perfect for me. I don't have to constantly explain myself to her, she's very intuitive. I'm very excited for my journey with her support.
Lita is very easy to talk to and has a wide range of expertise. She provides timely and meaningful support
Frequently asked questions
Does Dr. Lita Carvalho offer telehealth visits?
Yes. Dr. Lita Carvalho works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.
What language(s) does Dr. Lita Carvalho speak?
Dr. Lita Carvalho speaks English.
How many years of experience does Dr. Lita Carvalho have?
Dr. Lita Carvalho has 20 years of experience.
Where is Dr. Lita Carvalho licensed to practice?
Dr. Lita Carvalho is licensed to practice in California.
Does Dr. Lita Carvalho accept FSA/HSA?
Yes, Dr. Lita Carvalho accepts FSA/HSA meaning you can pay for sessions with your pre-tax healthcare dollars. Every year hundreds of thousands of people use their FSA/HSA to pay for therapy.
Does Dr. Lita Carvalho accept clients outside of the United States?
No, Dr. Lita Carvalho does not accept clients outside of the United States.
Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?
Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."
What treatment approaches does Dr. Lita Carvalho offer?
Dr. Lita Carvalho offers clients Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Existential Therapy, Gottman Method, Imago Relationship Therapy, Jungian Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Somatic Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy, and Internal Family Systems.
How can I communicate with Dr. Lita Carvalho?
Dr. Lita Carvalho can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.
How do I get started with Dr. Lita Carvalho?
Just tap the CHAT NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.
Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.
And recovery is possible.
When you tap CHAT NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.
FSA/HSA
eligible